Gandhi Medical College may host AIIMS-Hyderabad first batch

HYDERABAD: The first batch of MBBS students of AIIMS, Hyderabad, is likely to be hosted by Gandhi Medical College and not the Bibinagar campus which was officially allocated by state government.

Following the Cabinet’s approval, AIIMS, Hyderabad, was listed in the admission notification for academic year 2019-20 along with 13 other newly established institutions. Ahead of the new academic session, a team from AIIMS, Bhopal, which is the mentor institute for AIIMS, Hyderabad, visited the city on Saturday to inspect various feasible locations to start the MBBS course.



“As part of the procedure, a team from AIIMS, Bhopal, had visited to inspect various facilities. We showed them Gandhi Medical College and Bibinagar campus. We informed them that since Gandhi Medical College is an existing and operational facility, the first batch of students can be accommodated here,” said Dr Ramesh Reddy, director of medical education, Telangana.

The inspection team highlighted several gaps in AIIMS, Bibinagar campus. “We observed few lapses related to security, food and transportation at Bibinagar campus. If the same can be modified and taken care by the authorities concerned, the students can be accommodated there,” Prof Sarman Singh, director of AIIMS, Bhopal, told TOI.

While he did not rule out the possibility of Bibinagar campus, he agreed that GMC was the best available option to host the new batch. “We are of the view that students are coming on the pretext of AIIMS. If there was no building at all in Bibinagar, the Gandhi Medical College is the best choice. However, the Bibinagar campus has the capability to host the students with few modifications,” said Singh, adding that all observations and recommendations will be submitted to the Union health ministry for a final call on the location.

With regards to staff recruitment for AIIMS, Hyderabad, officials said that the decision will only be taken following finalization of the location. “We recommended the inspection team that if the first batch is accommodated in Gandhi Medical College then the teaching staff can also be utilised. Nonetheless, ultimate decision to conduct faculty recruitment for the batch lies with the Centre and the mentor institute’s recommendations on the location,” said Reddy.